Palermo Italy, May 1931

Amedio pulled his cap onto his head as he ran towards the family home through the grape vines and mud from last nights rain. His father took a blade to the family pig and it squealed in distress before slumping to the ground. His father ushered him inside where his mother and sister packed bags franticly and yelled for Amedio to hurry up.

"Amidio" His father said as he sat down in his armchair and lit his pipe. "We are leaving Italy" Amedio was shocked and stared coldly at his father. Italy was his home. "Were-" His father began to talk over him. "Get your things together. You have five minutes and only one case. We leave for America"

His mother looked up from the suitcase and pushed loose strands of hair from her eyes the way she always did. "The men from the town have managed to get your father a job in New York! Where the big statue is!" Amedio ignored her and ran to his room to gather his things.

10 minutes later

The family sat in silence in the living room until they finally heard the sequel of breaks and the slam of doors. Amedio's father hurried the family outside where men in suits stood waiting, puffing on ciggerete's and holding shotguns. His father looked down at Amedio, the scorching hot sun on the back of his neck. "I have made a mistake Amedio. You will do as these men tell you. You will work in America. Look after your mother and sister" Amedio looked around in confusion as the men pulled the shotguns to their shoulders. Amedios father closed his eyes and began to whisper before three shotgun blasts dropped him to the ground. His mother screamed but Amedio pulled her back and held her tight.

New York

The ships horn blew long and loud awaking the people on board who rushed over to the rail to see their new home. Old men coughed and children cried. The deck was covered in human shit and the sick bay had become overcrowded and riddled with dieses. Amedio ran to find his mother and sister below deck to tell them they had arrived.

Rows upon rows over wooden bunks crowded the hull but Amedio learned their place off by heart. He ran to his mother who was starting to look worse and shook her shoulder franticly. "Mother, Mother we are here!"

His mother groaned before reaching out to Amedio's shoulder. "Well. Be a gentleman and help me up"

1 hour later

18 Amedio thought to himself. That was the 18th person to drop to the ground. He held his mother upright as the finally came towards the front of the never-ending line. Gulls squawked and shat overhead as the police officer sitting at the desk in front of them looked upon Aemenio with harsh eyes. "Name"

Amenio stared at a man in the next line taking a beaten and began to feel sick. "You'll be next if you don't hurry the fuck up" Amenio looked back the policeman and nodded. "Ugh Montoro. Amenio Montoro, Ariana Montoro and-"  the policeman put his hand up and called a big man in a pinstripe suit over. They talked quietly before calling the family closer. "You got work to do Amenio. Get your family to this address and meet me back here"